Sixteen-year-old Cara Lange has been a loner ever since she moved away from her best and only friend, Zoe, years ago. She eats lunch with the other girls from the track team, but they're not really her friends. Mostly she spends her time watching Ethan Gray from a distance, wishing he would finally notice her, and avoiding the popular girls who call her "Choker" after a humiliating incident in the cafeteria.Then one day Cara comes home to find Zoe waiting for her. Zoe's on the run from problems at home, and Cara agrees to help her hide. With her best friend back, Cara's life changes overnight. Zoe gives her a new look and new confidence, and next thing she knows, she's getting invited to parties and flirting with Ethan. Best of all, she has her BFF there to confide in.But just as quickly as Cara's life came together, it starts to unravel. A girl goes missing in her town, and everyone is a suspect—including Ethan. Worse still, Zoe starts behaving strangely, and Cara begins to wonder what exactly her friend does all day when she's at school. You're supposed to trust your best friend no matter what, but what if she turns into a total stranger?

First Paragraph: "Come out, come out, little frog. We've made you a nest. It's under a log." Zoe's clear voice piped through the shaggy thicket of honeysuckle. Nine-year-old Cara stuck a leaf in the little heap of grass and paused to gaze at her best friend. - Prologue

Oh. My. God. That is all I can say ever since reading this book. I finished this book way over an hour ago and the ending is still stuck in my head. The ending was completely unexpected and completely slaps you in the face.

Throughout this whole book, I have really liked it. But the ending just freaking throws the book from a 3 to 4 star book to a freaking 5 star book. You NEVER expect it. At least I never did. I expected something different to happen. I thought I had it figured out, but then the ending happens (Sorry, can't tell you!) and completely changes that.

Zoe, Cara's "best friend", was creepy. She gave me the chills straight from the start. Not going to say anything further about her. Cara was a really good character. I liked her. She did certain things that made you want to know more. To really see her push herself.

The characters were really greatly developed in this book. Sometimes it may seem like Cara isn't really developed that well to be the age she is, but at the end of the book you really see why that is.

The writing really flowed well in this book and it was great to have read it in the perspective that it is. It is what made the secret at the end stay just that. A secret. Until Wood's wanted to reveal it. And boy did she did! Out of no where! Can't get over that!

This is a GREAT debut. I think everyone should read it. It's creepy, and now I understand why everyone was saying that about this book. From reading the summary it never sounded creepy to me. But now I totally understand why. It is just one of those things you have to experience yourself to understand, I guess.

I think this would make a fantastic movie. It would be one of those creeper type movies that aren't really scary, it's just creepy in a sense of mystery. I think if they ever did make it into a movie, it would be one of the ones where you really have to pay attention to understand the story.

It may not seem that way at first, but later on you'll totally understand why.

I think that everyone should give this book a try. No matter their genre. This has a lot in it; normal girly friendship issues, normal teen issues, and a bit of mystery. Plus a lot of other things added to the mix.

Overall, it may seem like it is pretty short and that nothing much happens throughout the book, but it was still very good. I just don't really know what to say about this book, other than WOW!

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good normal teen story with a mix of mystery.

Cover: Not one of my all time favorite covers, but it is very pretty with its overall simplicity and the awesome font! Jacket design is by Andrea C. Uva

I completely agree.. with everything! I loved this book so much - I thought it was brilliant. And definitely creepy! Jackie (Don't Sleep, Read) directed me here - wonderful blog! :D I'm a new follower!

I agree with you, the ending is a WTF moment. I was thrown. However, aside from that I was a little disappointed with the rest of the novel. In my review I stated how the whole lonely girl likes a popular guy was just too cliche for my taste.

Wonderful review, though! Very detailed and I can see why you loved the book.

Mandy's Currently Devouring

Authors/Publishers

We are currently accepting YA books for review. Currently no self-published, though. Please refer to my Review Policy before e-mailing Vintage Bookworms for a request at vintagebookworms[at]live[dot]com.